The Church Fathers on this verse

Deuteronomy 33:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To Aser also he said: Let Aser be blessed with children, let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

Douay-Rheims

וּלְאָשֵׁ֣ר אָמַ֔ר בָּר֥וּךְ מִבָּנִ֖ים אָשֵׁ֑ר יְהִ֤י רְצוּי֙ אֶחָ֔יו וְטֹבֵ֥ל בַּשֶּׁ֖מֶן רַגְלֽוֹ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

3 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

‘Blessed from... Chad Asher.’ The name Asher translates to “the leader of those who sing,” indicating his role as the initiator of worship. ‘He shall dip his foot in oil.’ The oil symbolizes the fellowship with the Spirit, while the foot represents the embodiment of righteousness.

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

Through this sacred oil, the Church sanctifies the necks of her faithful so they may embrace the burden of Christ. With this oil, she consecrated the martyrs to liberate them from worldly distractions. She used this oil to empower the confessors, ensuring they would not falter in their efforts, succumb to fatigue, or be defeated by the trials of this life. In this way, she anointed them, providing refreshment through the spiritual oil.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

In addition, Moses petitions for Asher's prosperity in both the land and the sea, declaring that he will immerse his foot in oil, with the iron and bronze of his sandals serving as a symbol of plentiful blessings.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.